Daiichi Sankyo launched Narurapid & Narusus tablets for cancer pain treatment

Daiichi Sankyo Company has has launched Narurapid tablets 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg (immediate release formulation) and Narusus tablets 2 mg, 6 mg, 12 mg, 24 mg (once daily extended release formulation) for cancer pain treatment (generic name: hydromorphone hydrochloride).

Hydromorphone hydrochloride is an opiate, narcotic analgesic that has been available outside of Japan for over 80 years, and is the standard drug for the treatment of cancer pain according to WHO guidelines.

Hydromorphone hydrochloride is one of the agents publicly offered for development by the Review Committee on Unapproved Drugs and Indications with High Medical Needs*. Daiichi Sankyo decided to develop the drug in 2012, and received a grant from the Pharmaceutical Development Support Center for its development.